Luggage Weight and Train in Spain

no one is there weighing your luggage; I know they x-ray scan it; as long as you can carry it and it fits in space provided you should not have problems; But if you are worried about it, knowing that you are breaking allowance rules, the ethical thing to do is to pay them whatever it costs or comply

Personally I can't imagine traveling around for 21 days hauling a 50 lb suitcase plus a carry on. Is there some special reason you need that much heavy 'stuff'? Why not try downsizing to within their stated limits, you'll thank yourself for it.

Looks like somebody hasn't read Ricks packing tips.

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light

Unless you are a weight lifter, or have a compelling need for such a heavy suitcase, I'd strongly recommend you reconsider your packing list. Especially if you will have to haul that sucker on and off the train more than once.

I think it's unlikely that they would weigh or measure your bags for a train trip, but you never know. You might want to look at packing a little lighter anyway, 50 lbs. is very heavy. I am not a "carry on only" person but I travel with a 22" bag that maxes out at 30 lb. or less, plus carry on which is usually my day pack. Also, the baggage limit on flights is generally based upon the carrier that flies the first leg, so your airline allowance might be less than you think.

Fifty pounds is a nightmarish weight. Please rethink your plans. You may run into train stations where you have to carry your bags down a full flights of steps and then back up a flight of steps to get to the street. There are also plenty of hotels that either have no elevator or have one, but still require you to go up steps to reach your room.

That rule never applies. How anyone is gonna weight your luggage in a train. The only rule that applies in all European trains is: "bring whatever you want, but you must be able to carry it by yourself".

are you taking that 50 pound suitcase on a winter trip to cold areas, or a summer trip to sunny Spain? Unless you are going very soon to a particularly cold part of the country, 50 pounds of clothing is a LOT.

If you are going in the summer, in most parts of Spain you will be wanting to take clothes off instead of adding them on...

Aw, cut the OP some slack. 23 kg. is not excessive. As long as you can lift the suitcase on and off the xray machine (security) and on and off the train (about 3 steps up from the platform), no one will care. Is it really 20 kg in total or 20 kg per piece, which sounds much more reasonable. I've traveled a lot in Spain in the last 4-5 years (3 trips, each 3-plus weeks) and almost entirely by train, never noticed a scale at a train station.

Have a great trip. Spain is a wonderful destination.

Thanks Chani for "cutting me some slack." This is my first post on the travel forum and it might be my last. Haven't packed the suitcase yet so I'll definitely be cognizant of the weight and pack as light as possible. I need to buy a new piece of luggage to check so I think I'll buy a smaller piece that won't hold as much. LOL

Lundy, please continue posting. We may be a bit direct on this forum, but it is all meant in a helpful way.
I hope you enjoy your trip.

There is no check-in and nobody to allow or not allow you to board a train, as long as you can schlep your luggage yourself, because nobody will be there to help you.
High Speed trains in Spain (and only High Speed trains) are unusual in that they do security checks on luggage (X-ray) before you are allowed on the train. Other than that you just walk on the train.

This page may help you about how luggage works on trains. it is not specific to Spain but may help: https://www.seat61.com/luggage-on-european-trains.htm

Thank you Chris F for your kind words and the link. I'm a "Southern" girl here in the States and we are for the most part a very polite group that always says "thank you" and "please" so bluntness isn't in my nature.

Lundy, please continue posting. We may be a bit direct on this forum, but it is all meant in a helpful way.

I agree with what Chris has written to you.

We all mean well and just don’t want you to make the mistake of traveling with heavy luggage that you may regret once you’ve had to lug it around for a bit.

Back in 2001 I took a trip with my mom and we both had a 24 inch roller suitcase. I don’t recall how heavy they were but I ended up hating those bags; every time I had to pick them up to go up and down all those stairs at train stations! Some train stations have elevators but some don’t.

Keep in mind that you can always have your clothes laundered (some hotels offer that service) or go to a self-serve laundromat during your travels.

Side note: If you’re planning to visit Granada, make sure you book your Alhambra tickets 3 months in advance for best time selection.

Have a wonderful trip!

Priscilla

Lundy, since you have to carry all your luggage on and off the train with you, note that what will get you un-friendly notice is blocking the stairs, aisles, entryway, etc., with bags as people are trying to get on and off. If the train is crowded, it can be hard to find a place to stash them as well.

All I want you to do is have a good trip and not find yourself unable to do it because you threw your back out or worse.

For all I know you may be a weightlifter but for me humping 50 pounds at a time onto and off trains and up and down stairs would be too much for me and I am a man in decent shape who deals with luggage one way or another every working day.

I agree with what's been written so far. The objective is to have a wonderful travel experience and not be hampered by what you have to carry. Last year, I took a 22" suitcase weighing 20 lbs. and a crossover day bag on the 21 Day Best of Europe. The crossover bag was across the front of my body for added security and both hands were free to carry my suitcase, It wasn't bad carrying the suitcase, but at times it was challenging. Though the suitcase was small, finding room for it when I traveled by train or used other modes of public transportation was difficult when crowded. Walking up and down several flights of stairs, especially steep ones, also created some challenges. Loved traveling with less. Now I know, I don't need to take so much after all. The Rick Steves' packing list (found under Travel Tips) was very helpful.